Profile of a Mason

Douglas Edward Hunter, 32° KCCH

Douglas Edward Hunter is a native Nashvillian, born in 1954. He was educated in Davidson County Public Schools and graduated Glencliff High School in 1972. After two years at the University of Tennessee at Martin, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Memphis in 1976. Continuing his education, he earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1980 from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences.

After several months of employment for the Tennessee Department of Public Health, he began his practice of dentistry in 1982. He established a new state of the art office on Nolensville Pike in 1999 where he remained in private practice until retirement in 2020. He is a life member of the Nashville Dental Society, the Tennessee Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. But even though retired from private practice, he maintains his dental license to enable him to do volunteer work for the underprivileged – as an NYU-Langone Health faculty member currently mentoring residents in the AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) program at the Interfaith Dental Clinics in Nashville and Murfreesboro. On top of that, for seven consecutive years, he did 2-week periods of volunteer service in impoverished areas of the Caribbean. 

Is it any wonder that he is the recipient of the Tennessee Dental Association Fellowship Award, the highest honor presented by the association to an individual dentist?

Doug is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Melissa Kay Chaffin. He is proud to proclaim they have been married 51 years. They make their home in Brentwood, Tennessee and have two children and one grandchild. 

Doug began his Masonic journey in 1989 with John B. Garrett Lodge #711. He was elected Worshipful Master of that lodge in 1996. Currently, he is serving as Chaplain and a Funeral Committee member. He has plural membership in Hiram Lodge #7 of Franklin, Tennessee. He is a proficiency card holder and a recipient of the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award. 

In the York Rite, he is a member of the Edward G. Corbett – Doric Chapter #147, the Nashville Council #1 and the Nashville Commandery #1. He is Past President of the Middle Tennessee York Rite Association and has been recognized with various titles and membership associations. Currently he is Secretary/Treasurer of the Edward G. Corbett – Doric Chapter #147 and was the Grand York Rite Photographer in 2023. Also, he is a member of the John B. Garrett Chapter #271 of the Order of the Eastern Star. 

He became a member of the Scottish Rite in 1989. He is a regular participant in Scottish Rite reunions as a cast member of the 15th° and 31st°, having conferred the first and second sections of the 31st°. To illustrate his versatility, he is a trombone player in the wind ensemble. The Scottish Rite bestowed upon him the honor of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 2005.

Before he personally became a Mason, Doug says he always thought those men who were Masons were different. In his words, they “seemed to be a cut above, regardless of which walk of life they came from”. It is obvious that he would be attracted to Masonry when you consider the many ways he has given of himself for the benefit of others. His value system of what is important in this life is compatible and identical to Masonic principles. Doug was a Mason in his heart before he petitioned a Blue Lodge. His efforts to share his unique energy and talent as a dentist to those less privileged speaks volumes of the priorities and values of his life. The Scottish Rite is fortunate and proud to have him as a member.